Steven Shapin
Steven Shapin is an American historian and sociologist of science. He is known for his work on the history of science, particularly the sociology of scientific knowledge. Shapin has contributed significantly to the understanding of how scientific knowledge is produced and validated in society.
Books
This list of books are ONLY the books that have been ranked on the lists that are aggregated on this site. This is not a comprehensive list of all books by this author.
-
1. Leviathan And The Air Pump
Hobbes, Boyle, and the Experimental Life
This book explores the historical debate between Thomas Hobbes and Robert Boyle over the role of experimentation in the production of scientific knowledge during the 17th century. It delves into the philosophical and methodological differences between the two thinkers, highlighting Boyle's advocacy for empirical experimentation using the air pump and Hobbes' skepticism about the reliability of such methods without a solid theoretical foundation. The narrative examines how this debate reflects broader questions about the nature of scientific inquiry and the social and political contexts that shape scientific practices.
The 17010th Greatest Book of All TimePurchase from Bookshop.org